ECONOMYNEXT- All government schools and Pirivenas will close from tomorrow and reopen for the next term on April 20, Minister of Education Dullas Alahapperuma said.

Speaking to reporters in Colombo, the minister said although the health officials said this morning that there is only a remote chance for the son of first patient to be infected with the COVID-19, there was still panic among the parents of the children.

“We took this decision due to the unnecessary panic created among the students and parents,” he added.

During the initial discussions held this morning, the ministry only decided to cancel all the educational trips planned by schools in the coming two weeks.

This is because most of the areas visited by them are tourist sites frequented by foreigners.

The minister also requested private tuition institutes to consider the decision by the Education Ministry and act accordingly. (Colombo/Mar12/2020)